Atletico Madrid extended their remarkable winning streak to 15 games and secured a spot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a dominant 4-0 victory over a 10-man Elche side on Wednesday night.
Match Highlights
First Half: Sorloth Shines Early
- 8th Minute: Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring with Atletico’s earliest goal in this season’s Copa del Rey, calmly slotting home a loose ball from close range.
- 28th Minute: The Norwegian doubled Atletico’s lead from the penalty spot after Bambo Diaby fouled Samuel Lino in the box. Sorloth sent Miguel San Roman the wrong way to put the visitors in control.
Second Half: Elche Collapse
- 50th Minute: Elche’s task became even harder when Nico Mercau received a second yellow card for a tactical foul on Rodrigo Riquelme, reducing the hosts to 10 men.
- 61st Minute: Rodrigo Riquelme added Atletico’s third with a stunning long-range strike, leaving San Roman with no chance.
- 75th Minute: Substitute Julian Alvarez completed the rout with a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack.
Key Stats and Analysis
Sorloth’s Clinical Display
- Sorloth was the standout performer, scoring twice and maintaining his impressive start at Atletico. He converted both of his shots, generating an xG of 1.01.
- The Norwegian now has 10 goals in all competitions this season, including 8 in LaLiga.
Atletico’s Efficiency
- Despite taking only 14 shots, Atletico managed to hit the target 11 times, showcasing their clinical edge.
- Elche, by contrast, struggled to create clear opportunities, with only 4 of their 10 shots testing Atletico goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Defensive Solidity
- Diego Simeone’s men recorded their third consecutive clean sheet in the competition, underscoring their defensive resilience.
What’s Next?
Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s 15-game winning streak is the longest in the club’s history, and they look unstoppable as they chase silverware on multiple fronts. With Sorloth in red-hot form and Simeone’s system firing on all cylinders, they head into the quarter-finals as one of the favorites.
Elche
Elche’s struggles continue as they failed to match Atletico’s intensity and quality. With their Copa del Rey journey over, they must now focus on climbing out of the relegation zone in LaLiga.
Conclusion
Atletico Madrid’s emphatic victory over Elche not only secured their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals but also highlighted their growing confidence and consistency. Alexander Sorloth’s clinical display and Rodrigo Riquelme’s wonder goal were the standout moments in a game that further cemented Atletico’s status as serious contenders for domestic glory.
